Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
  • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04B—TRANSMISSION
  • H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
  • H04B1/38—Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
  • H04B1/3827—Portable transceivers
  • H04B1/3883—Arrangements for mounting batteries or battery chargers
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
  • G06F1/04—Generating or distributing clock signals or signals derived directly therefrom
  • G06F1/12—Synchronisation of different clock signals provided by a plurality of clock generators
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
  • G06F1/26—Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F11/00—Error detection; Error correction; Monitoring
  • G06F11/30—Monitoring
  • G06F11/3058—Monitoring arrangements for monitoring environmental properties or parameters of the computing system or of the computing system component, e.g. monitoring of power, currents, temperature, humidity, position, vibrations
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04B—TRANSMISSION
  • H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
  • H04B1/38—Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
  • H04M1/72—Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
  • H04M1/725—Cordless telephones
  • H04M1/73—Battery saving arrangements
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W52/00—Power management, e.g. TPC [Transmission Power Control], power saving or power classes
  • H04W52/02—Power saving arrangements
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
  • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
  • H02J7/0047—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits
  • H02J7/0048—Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]

Definitions

• TITLE METHOD FOR BATTERY REMOVAL DETECTION INVENTORS: Pekka Eerikki Leinonen and Rune Adolf Lindholm FIELD:
• the field of the invention relates to the detection of the availability of a battery by a host terminal and more particularly to detecting the removal of a smart battery when the host terminal is transmitting data.
• the Subscriber Information Module (SIM) card is a programmable card in cellular phones, which stores all of a cell phone subscriber's personal information and phone settings. Battery removal detection in a cellular phone is a part of the battery interface in a cell phone because the SIM card needs to be powered off in controlled manner to be able to avoid being permanently damaged. In case of a sudden battery removal, a fast indication of battery removal to the SIM interface is needed because the SIM interface may loose power rapidly after battery removal. Recently cell phone batteries have included circuitry to identify the battery type, sense battery temperature, and store other related information. Temperature sensing, among other features, requires the ability of the cell phone to engage in data
• Method, apparatus, and computer program product embodiments are disclosed for detection of the availability of a battery by a host terminal during a data exchange session with the battery.
• sampling, data communication with the battery pack, and detection of battery removal may occur substantially simultaneously.
• Battery removal may be detected during data transmission from the terminal to the battery pack.
• a response may be received by the terminal from the battery circuits in response to data communicated to the battery on the battery communication line, during sampling in a timed manner.
• Example embodiments of the invention include a method, comprising the steps of: comparing a voltage level with a threshold voltage level and providing a comparison signal resulting from the comparison, the voltage level being on a battery communication line coupled to a connector to circuits of a battery, wherein the voltage level comprises a predetermined low voltage level and a predetermined high voltage level used for communication with the circuits of the battery via the battery communication line to determine if the voltage of the battery connector exceeds the threshold voltage level, wherein the threshold voltage level is different from the predetermined low voltage level and the predetermined high voltage level;
• Example embodiments of the invention include the method further comprising when the comparing step detects that the voltage of the battery connector is above the threshold voltage, then gating the voltage of the battery connector out as the comparison signal for sampling.
• Example embodiments of the invention include a method, comprising the steps of: sampling a voltage level in a timed manner on a battery communication line coupled to a connector to circuits of a battery, wherein the voltage level comprises a predetermined low voltage level and a predetermined high voltage level used for communication with the circuits of the battery via the battery communication line;
• comparing the sampled voltage level with a threshold voltage level to determine if the voltage of the battery connector exceeds the threshold voltage level, wherein the threshold voltage level is different from the predetermined low voltage level and the predetermined high voltage level;
• Example embodiments of the invention include the method further comprising when sampling the voltage of the battery connector, gating the voltage of the battery connector as the sampled voltage level for the comparing step.
• Example embodiments of the invention include the method further comprising wherein the duration represents a period of time that includes the length of time that the voltage level exceeds the threshold voltage plus a predetermined delay.
• Example embodiments of the invention include the method further comprising wherein the battery connections status comprises at least a battery connect status or battery disconnect status.
• Example embodiments of the invention include the method further comprising wherein the battery connection status changes from the battery connect status to the battery disconnect status if the duration is equal to or longer than a predetermined duration value.
• Example embodiments of the invention include the method further comprising wherein the battery connection status changes from the battery disconnect status to the battery connect status if the voltage level is similar to or less than the predetermined high voltage level.
• Example embodiments of the invention include the method further comprising resetting the timer if the voltage level is substantially similar to or less than the predetermined low voltage level.
• Example embodiments of the invention include the method further comprising wherein the battery connector has at least two further connectors.
• Example embodiments of the invention include the method further comprising wherein the at least two further connectors are configured to deliver power.
• Example embodiments of the invention include the method further comprising wherein the sampling, the communication, and detection of battery removal, occur substantially simultaneously.
• Example embodiments of the invention include the method further comprising receiving a response from the battery circuits to data communicated to the battery on the battery communication line during the sampling in the timed manner.
• Example embodiments of the invention include an apparatus, comprising:
• At least one memory including computer program code
• the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the coexistence manager at least to:
• the voltage level being on a battery communication line coupled to a connector to circuits of a battery, wherein the voltage level comprises a predetermined low voltage level and a predetermined high voltage level used for communication with the circuits of the battery via the battery communication line to determine if the voltage of the battery connector exceeds the threshold voltage level, wherein the threshold voltage level is different from the predetermined low voltage level and the predetermined high voltage level;
• Example embodiments of the invention include an apparatus, comprising:
• At least one memory including computer program code
• the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the coexistence manager at least to:
• the voltage level comprises a
• predetermined low voltage level and a predetermined high voltage level used for communication with the circuits of the battery via the battery communication line;
• the threshold voltage level is different from the predetermined low voltage level and the predetermined high voltage level; time a duration with a timer, that the sampled voltage level exceeds the threshold voltage and trigger a battery status signal when the duration exceeds a predetermined delay;
• Example embodiments of the invention include a computer readable medium, comprising program instructions, which when executed by a computer processor, perform the steps comprising:
• the voltage level being on a battery communication line coupled to a connector to circuits of a battery, wherein the voltage level comprises a predetermined low voltage level and a predetermined high voltage level used for communication with the circuits of the battery via the battery communication line to determine if the voltage of the battery connector exceeds the threshold voltage level, wherein the threshold voltage level is different from the predetermined low voltage level and the predetermined high voltage level;
• Example embodiments of the invention include a computer readable medium, comprising program instructions, which when executed by a computer processor, perform the steps comprising:
• the voltage level comprises a predetermined low voltage level and a predetermined high voltage level used for communication with the circuits of the battery via the battery communication line;
• Example embodiments of the invention include a system, comprising:
• a battery in a battery pack configured to connect to power connectors of a wireless terminal to provide operating power to the wireless terminal
• a wireless terminal comprising:
• At least one memory including computer program code
• the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the coexistence manager at least to:
• the voltage level is on a battery communication line coupled to the battery connector, wherein the voltage level comprises at least one predetermined low voltage level and at least one predetermined high voltage level used for communication with the battery circuits coupled to the battery connector via the battery communication line to determine if the voltage of the battery connector exceeds the threshold voltage level, wherein the threshold voltage level is different from the at least one predetermined low voltage level and the at least one predetermined high voltage level;
• the resulting embodiments provide the detection of the availability of a battery by a host terminal and more particularly, detecting the removal of a smart battery during a data exchange session with the battery. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES:
• Figure 1 is an example system architecture diagram according to an example embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an example wireless terminal and an example battery pack.
• Figure 2A is an example network diagram of the example battery data interface of the wireless terminal operatively connected by a communication line connector to the example data interface of the battery pack of Figure 1.
• Figure 2B is an example network diagram of the battery data interface of the wireless terminal disconnected at a communication line connector from the data interface of the battery pack of Figure 1.
• Figure 2C is an example network diagram of the battery data interface of the wireless terminal, illustrating in greater detail a sampling circuit, a comparator circuit, and a disconnect time counter.
• Figure 2D is an example network diagram of an alternate embodiment of the battery data interface of the wireless terminal, illustrating in greater detail a different order in the sampling circuit, the comparator circuit, and the disconnect time counter from the order shown in Figure 2C.
• Figure 3 is an example timing diagram illustrating when the battery pack is disconnected from the terminal and the battery removal signal goes to an active state.
• Figure 4 is an example timing diagram illustrating when two short contact breaks are received at the same time when terminal is transmitting data to the battery pack.
• Figure 5A is an example flow diagram of operational steps in detecting the removal of a smart battery during a data exchange session with the battery.
• Figure 5B is an example flow diagram of alternate operational steps in detecting the removal of a smart battery during a data exchange session with the battery.
• FIGS. 6A and 6B are example timing diagrams illustrating sampling for battery removal detection. DISCUSSION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION:
• the Subscriber Information Module (SIM) card is a programmable card in cellular phones, which stores all of a cell phone subscriber's personal information and phone settings. Battery removal detection in a cellular phone is an important part of the battery interface in a cell phone. The battery removal detection my enable a controlled power off of the SIM card to avoid being permanently damaged. In case of a sudden battery removal, a fast indication of battery removal is needed because the SIM interface may loose power rapidly after battery removal. Recently cell phone batteries have included circuitry to identify the battery type, sense battery temperature, and store other related information. Temperature sensing, among other features, requires the ability of the cell phone to engage in digital
• FIG. 1 is an example system architecture diagram according to an example embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an example wireless terminal like a mobile terminal 100 and an example battery pack 150 that includes a memory 156, identification register 157, and temperature sensor 158.
• the power from the battery 160 is provided to the terminal's power interface 130 on the power connectors 142 and 144.
• the data exchanged between the terminal 100 and the battery pack integrated circuit (IC) 155 passes from the processor 120 in the terminal 100 over the line 133 to the battery data interface 132 in the terminal 100, and through the communication line 140 that may be part of a battery connector to the data interface 152 in the battery pack 150 and over the line 153 to the battery pack integrated circuit (IC) 155.
• IC battery pack integrated circuit
• the identification register 157 in the battery pack IC 155 includes a memory to store data in the battery pack to extend its functionality.
• Battery type identification 157 is needed for battery types, which may have different charging parameters like for example higher charging target voltage, compared to traditional Li-Ion batteries.
• the memory 156 may store data related to battery technology and monitoring.
• the devices in the battery pack IC 155 may be active devices that transmit to the terminal 100 over the battery communication line 140 using their own timing reference.
• a protocol may be used for digital data communication via the communication line. The protocol may be initiated through a reset or based on a request. This starts the data communication from the battery pack IC 155. In every communication there is a "learning sequence" where the terminal 100 may detect the battery pack timing.
• the terminal 100 will then adjust to this timing for its reception and transmission with the battery pack.
• the protocol allows the terminal 100, which has accurate timing, to adjust the timing based on the type of the battery pack, so that the battery pack does not need its own accurate timing reference.
• the battery communication line 140 may be used for digital communication and also for analog identification of the battery, for example based on an analog voltage over predefined resistor values.
• the example wireless terminal 100 includes a protocol stack, including the radio
• the protocol stack may also include a network layer 114, a transport layer 112, and an application program 110.
• the example wireless terminal 100 includes a processor 120 that may include a dual core central processing unit (CPU) CPU_1 and CPU_2, a random-access memory (RAM) memory, a read-only memory (ROM) memory, and an interface for a keypad, display, and other input/output devices.
• CPU central processing unit
• RAM random-access memory
• ROM read-only memory
• the interface circuits may interface with one or more radio transceivers, battery and other power sources, key pad, touch screen, display, microphone, speakers, ear pieces, camera or other imaging devices, etc.
• the RAM and ROM may be removable memory devices such as smart cards, SIMs, wireless identification modules (WTMs), semiconductor memories such as RAM, ROM, programmable read-only memories (PROMS), flash memory devices, etc.
• the processor protocol stack layers, and/or application program may be embodied as program logic stored in the RAM and/or ROM in the form of sequences of programmed instructions which, when executed in the CPU, carry out the functions of the disclosed embodiments.
• the program logic may be delivered to the writeable RAM, PROMS, flash memory devices, etc.
• the one or more radios in the device may be separate transceiver circuits or alternately, the one or more radios may be a single radio frequency (RF) module capable of handling one or multiple channels in a high speed, time and frequency multiplexed manner in response to the processor.
• RF radio frequency
• Figure 2A is an example network diagram of the example battery data interface 132 of the wireless terminal 100 operatively connected by the communication line and its communication line connector 140 that may be comprised in a battery connector to the example data interface 152 of the battery pack 150 of Figure 1.
• Figure 2B is an example network diagram of the battery data interface 132 of the wireless terminal 100
• FIG. 2C is an example network diagram of the battery data interface 132 of the wireless terminal 100, illustrating in greater detail the sampling circuit 190, comparator circuit 192, and disconnect time counter 170.
• the sampling, the digital communication with the battery pack, and detection of battery removal occur substantially simultaneously.
• a response may be received by the terminal 100 from the battery circuits in response to data communicated to the battery on the battery communication line during the sampling in the timed manner. This may ensure that the terminal transmission is not disturbing the battery removal detection.
• FIG. 2C shows an example first embodiment of the battery data interface 132.
• the comparator circuit 192 has one leg of its input connected to the communication line connector 140 whose voltage is compared with the threshold voltage, for example 1.9 volts, on the other input leg of the comparator.
• the comparator 192 in Figure 2C compares the voltage level with a threshold voltage level and provides a comparison signal resulting from the comparison.
• the comparator circuit 192 when the comparator circuit 192 in Figure 2C detects that the voltage of the connector 140 is above the threshold voltage, the comparator circuit 192 gates the voltage of the connector 140 out as the comparison signal to the sampling circuit 190.
• the voltage level on the battery communication line 140 may be at least one predetermined low voltage level and at least one predetermined high voltage level used for
• the threshold voltage level is different from the predetermined low voltage level and the predetermined high voltage level.
• the sampling circuit 190 is connected to the output of the comparator 192 in Figure 2C, for sampling the comparison signal in a timed manner in order to ensure that communication with the circuits of the battery is not disturbing battery removal detection.
• the disconnect time counter 170 is connected to the output of the sampling circuit 190, for timing a duration with a timer, of the comparison signal that corresponds to the voltage level of battery communication line 140 exceeding the threshold voltage. The disconnect time counter 170 will trigger a battery status signal on line 133C when the duration exceeds a predetermined delay.
• FIG. 2D shows an example second embodiment of the battery data interface 132.
• the sampling circuit 190 has its input connected to the communication line connector 140 for sampling the voltage level of communication line connector 140 in a timed manner.
• the sampling circuit 190 when the sampling circuit 190 in Figure 2D samples the voltage of the connector 140, the sampling circuit 190 gates the voltage of the connector 140 out to the comparator circuit 192.
• the comparator circuit 192 is shown in Figure 2D with one leg of its input connected to the output of the sampling circuit 190 for comparing the sampled voltage level with a threshold voltage level.
• the disconnect time counter 170 is shown in Figure 2D connected to the output of the comparator circuit 192, for timing a duration with a timer, that the sampled voltage level exceeds the threshold voltage.
• the disconnect time counter 170 will trigger a battery status signal on line 133C when the duration exceeds a predetermined delay.
• the battery data interface 132 has three pin interface (Vdd, Vss and a single communication line connector 140).
• the battery data interface 132 enables multiplexing and/or substantially simultaneously handling of data communication and battery removal detection.
• the battery data interface 132 uses the clocked logic in the terminal 100.
• the Vdd voltage is directly or indirectly getting power from the positive terminal of the battery pack 150.
• the Vdd voltage provides sufficient power not only for identification and memory reading, but may also be used for programming of the memory 156.
• the data communication over line 140 may be multiplexed with battery removal detection.
• Battery communication line 140 high state voltage is determined by voltage divider pull up resistor R2 in terminal 100 and pull down resistor R3 in the battery pack 150. But, when the battery pack 150 is removed, the pull down resistor R3 gets
• the battery data interface of the terminal 100 samples the voltage level with the sampling circuit 190 in Figures 2C and 2D in a timed manner.
• the sampling circuit 190 samples the comparison signal output from the comparator 192.
• the sampling circuit 190 samples the voltage level of communication line connector 140.
• the disconnect time counter 170 of Figures 2C and 2D times the duration with a timer, that the sampled voltage level exceeds the threshold voltage and it triggers a battery status signal on line 133C when the duration exceeds a predetermined delay.
• the status signal may indicate the removal of the battery or the reconnection of the battery.
• the duration represents a period of time that includes the length of time that the voltage level exceeds the threshold voltage plus a predetermined delay.
• the sampling, the digital communication with the battery pack, and detection of battery removal occur substantially simultaneously.
• the battery connection status changes from the battery connect status to the battery disconnect status if the duration is equal to or longer than a predetermined duration value.
• the battery connection status changes back from the battery disconnect status to the battery connect status if the voltage level is similar to or less than the predetermined high voltage level.
• the timer is reset if the voltage level is substantially similar to or less than the predetermined low voltage level.
• the battery connector may include the positive power connection 142 and the ground connection 144 of Figure 1.
• battery removal detection is performed with the same battery communication line 140 that is used for data
• Battery removal detection may be performed at the time when the terminal 100 is transmitting data to battery pack 150.
• the battery removal detection circuitry 170 is synchronized with terminal 100 transmission to the battery pack 150. At the time when terminal 100 is pulling battery communication line 140 actively low, input to battery removal circuitry 170 is masked (for example battery removal detection circuitry 170 does not monitor status of communication line connector 140 when terminal 100 is pulling battery communication line 140 actively low).
• battery removal detection time counter 170 When battery communication line 140 voltage rises above a battery removal detection threshold level, battery removal detection time counter 170 starts time measurement. If battery communication line 140 voltage falls below battery removal detection threshold level for other reasons than because of terminal 100 pulling battery communication line 140 actively low, time counter 170 is reset and stopped until battery communication line 140 voltage rises above the battery removal detection threshold level again. If battery removal detection time counter 170 reaches the time that is equal or higher than the time defined as maximum length of contact breaks, battery removal is indicated for other subsystem(/s) of terminal 100.
• time counter 170 may reach a duration that is equal to or higher than the interval defined as maximum length of contact breaks, at the same time when terminal 100 is pulling battery communication line 140 actively low. To insure that a false positive determination might not otherwise be made, erroneously indicating that there has been a disconnection, the example embodiments may wait until the battery removal detection circuitry 170 detects that the battery communication line 140 goes high one more time, before indicating that battery removal event has occurred.
• the battery data interface 132 is connected to the data interface 152 in Figure 2A by the communication line connector 140.
• Data to be sent to the battery pack IC 155 is transferred from the processor 120 over line 133A to the gate of field-effect transistor (FET) device Tl, which pulls the battery communication line 140 down to a low value of approximately 0.1 volts.
• FET field-effect transistor
• Switch SI is closed when there is data communication on the line 133 A from the terminal to the battery pack. SI is closed during the entire data transmission from the terminal to the battery pack.
• the diode Dl enables reduction of the voltage on the interface to 1.4-1.5V. 2) and/or preventing resistor Rl from affecting the pull-up voltage in case the pull-up voltage on R2 is higher than 2.1V, for example 2.7V.
• the current 180 flows through R2 and the communication line connector 140 and through R3, forming a resistor divider that keeps the voltage of the battery communication line 140 below the threshold voltage of approximately 1.80 volts when the battery is connected to the terminal.
• the value of R3 may depend on the battery capacity. If the connector line 140 is disconnected, the current 180 is interrupted and the resistor R2 pulls up the voltage on battery communication line 140.
• the FET device T2 in the battery pack IC 155 is part of active circuitry that transmits data to the terminal 100 over battery communication line 140. Data from the battery pack is transferred over battery communication line 140 and through F2 and line 133B, to the processor 120 in the terminal 100.
• the voltage of the data pulses on line 133B are approximately 1.8 volts for high signaling and 0.25 volts for low signaling.
• the capacitances CI and C2 are parasitic capacitances.
• Fl is the comparator that monitors the battery connection for battery removal. If the voltage on the line goes above a predefined value the comparator will trigger, value in the range of 1.7- 1.9V.
• F2 is the input buffer that conveys the data from the battery pack to the terminal. This is a normal input buffer with the threshold in the range of 0.8- IV.
• F3 is the corresponding buffer for the data from the terminal to the battery pack.
• F2 and F3 are digital input buffers.
• FIG 3 is an example timing diagram illustrating when the battery pack 150 is disconnected from the terminal 100 and the battery removal signal goes to an active state.
• Battery removal at the time when terminal 100 is transmitting to the battery pack 150 is illustrated in Figure 3.
• the bold arrow shows the time when battery removal circuitry 170 gets its first indication of a possible battery removal. Since in this phase it is not possible to know whether battery pack 150 has been removed or whether battery removal detection voltage threshold has been exceeded because of a short contact break, the disconnect time counter 170 is activated. After the battery disconnect time counter 170 reaches the "minimum time for battery removal detection" value, the battery removal detection circuitry 170 waits until one more battery removal indication is seen before activating "battery removal signal" on line 133C.
• the “Communication Line Voltage” waveform in the timing diagram illustrates the voltage on communication line connector 140 in Figures 2C and 2D.
• the "Host Transmits” waveform is the Tl input 133A in Figures 2A and 2B.
• the “Battery Disconnect Time Counter” waveform is the timed count being accumulated by the disconnect time counter 170 in Figures 2C and 2D.
• the “Battery Removal Signal” is line 133C output from the disconnect time counter 170.
• FIG 4 is an example timing diagram illustrating when two short contact breaks are received at the same time when terminal 100 is transmitting data to the battery pack 150, showing that the battery disconnect time counter is activated twice, but because the contact breaks are of short duration, the time counter is reset in both cases and therefore the battery removal signal is not activated.
• the "Communication Line Voltage” waveform in the timing diagram illustrates the voltage on communication line connector 140 in Figures 2C and 2D.
• the "Host Transmits" waveform is the Tl input 133A in Figures 2A and 2B.
• the “Battery Disconnect Time Counter” waveform is the timed count being accumulated by the disconnect time counter 170 in Figures 2C and 2D.
• the "Battery Removal Signal” is line 133C output from the disconnect time counter 170.
• Figure 5A is an example flow diagram 500 of operational steps in detecting the removal of a smart battery during a data exchange session with the battery, according to an embodiment of the present invention, with example steps as follows:
• Step 502 comparing a voltage level with a threshold voltage level and providing a comparison signal resulting from the comparison, the voltage level being on a battery communication line coupled to a battery connector, wherein the voltage level comprises at least one predetermined low voltage level and at least one predetermined high voltage level used for digital communication with circuits of a battery coupled to the battery connector via the battery communication line to determine if the voltage of the battery connector exceeds the threshold voltage level, wherein the threshold voltage level is different from the at least one predetermined low voltage level and the at least one predetermined high voltage level;
• Step 504 sampling the comparison signal in a timed manner in order to ensure that communication with the circuits of the battery is not disturbing battery removal detection;
• Step 506 timing a duration with a timer, that the comparison signal corresponds to the voltage level exceeding the threshold voltage and triggering a battery status signal when the duration exceeds a predetermined delay;
• Step 508 determining a battery connection status based on the battery status signal.
• Figure 5B is an example flow diagram 550 of alternate operational steps in detecting the removal of a smart battery during a data exchange session with the battery, according to an embodiment of the present invention, with example steps as follows:
• Step 552 sampling a voltage level in a timed manner on a battery communication line coupled to a battery connector, wherein the voltage level comprises at least one predetermined low voltage level and at least one predetermined high voltage level used for communication with circuits of a battery coupled to the battery connector via the battery communication line;
• Step 554 comparing the sampled voltage level with a threshold voltage level to determine if the voltage of the battery connector exceeds the threshold voltage level, wherein the threshold voltage level is different from the at least one predetermined low voltage level and the at least one predetermined high voltage level;
• Step 556 timing a duration with a timer, that the sampled voltage level exceeds the threshold voltage and triggering a battery status signal when the duration exceeds a predetermined delay
• Step 558 determining a battery connection status based on the battery status signal.
• the steps of the flow diagrams 500 of Figure 5A and 550 of Figure 5B represent computer code instructions stored in the RAM and/or ROM memory of the terminal 100, which when executed by the CPU, carry out the functions of the example embodiments of the invention.
• the steps may be carried out in another order than shown and individual steps may be combined or separated into component steps.
• Figures 6A and 6B are example timing diagrams illustrating sampling for battery removal detection.
• Figure 6A shows the Basic case.
• the sampling rate is greater or equal than the bit rate and a sample is taken during or between every bit.
• the waveform is the voltage on battery communication line connector 140 in Figures 2C and 2D.
• V H is the high voltage level of data communication pulses on communication line connector 140.
• V BR is the threshold voltage that is compared with the voltage on communication line connector 140.
• the sampling rate is greater than the bit rate and a sample is taken during or between every bit.
• the "Battery Removal Signal" is output on line 133C from the disconnect time counter 170.
• Figure 6B shows the high bit rate case.
• Sampling rate is less than the bit rate and a sample is taken between bursts.
• a burst may include several bits.
• the sampling rate may not be sufficiently high to sample all of the data pulses on line 140 and the battery removal threshold may not be reached by the disconnect time counter 170.
• the voltage samples rise above the V BR threshold voltage and will be counted for a predetermined duration, resulting in outputting the "Battery Removal Signal" on line 133C from the disconnect time counter 170.
• the embodiments may be implemented as a machine, process, or article of manufacture by using standard programming and/or engineering techniques to produce programming software, firmware, hardware or any combination thereof.
• Any resulting program(s), having computer-readable program code, may be embodied on one or more computer-usable media such as resident memory devices, smart cards or other removable memory devices, or transmitting devices, thereby making a computer program product or article of manufacture according to the embodiments.
• the terms "article of manufacture” and “computer program product” as used herein are intended to encompass a computer program that exists permanently or temporarily on any computer-usable medium or in any transmitting medium which transmits such a program.
• memory/storage devices include, but are not limited to, disks, optical disks, removable memory devices such as smart cards, SIMs, WIMs,
• Transmitting mediums include, but are not limited to, transmissions via wireless communication networks, the Internet, intranets, telephone/modem-based network communication, hard- wired/cabled communication network, satellite communication, and other stationary or mobile network systems/communication links.

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• Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)

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• 2010
  • 2010-06-11 US US13/703,201 patent/US9239772B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2010-06-11 RU RU2013102450/07A patent/RU2526028C1/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2010-06-11 IN IN77CHN2013 patent/IN2013CN00077A/en unknown
  • 2010-06-11 JP JP2013513767A patent/JP2013529880A/ja not_active Withdrawn
  • 2010-06-11 WO PCT/IB2010/052622 patent/WO2011154781A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2010-06-11 CA CA2802011A patent/CA2802011A1/en not_active Abandoned
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  • 2010-06-11 EP EP10852817.5A patent/EP2580838B1/en not_active Not-in-force
  • 2010-06-11 CN CN201080067352.9A patent/CN102934313B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2010-06-11 BR BR112012031266-9A patent/BR112012031266B1/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2013
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